January News from Eiros Group
"Be like a tree. Stay grounded. Connect with your roots. Turn over a new leaf. Bend before you break. Enjoy your unique natural beauty. Keep growing.”
Quote by Joanne Raptis
We wish you a Happy New Year! As we turn the page to the start of a new year, we also begin to plan for the year ahead, full of optimism, goals, and fresh new directions. January is very much the start of new habits, better self-care, and focusing on achieving new heights of ability. In partnership with our communities, we learn, we grow, and ultimately, succeed when we count on each other for support. This is the cornerstone of our organization and it is our guiding force.
Our team has been hard at work on several new programs we will be presenting, participating in and attending this year. We look forward to all that is ahead of us in the coming months. As the saying goes, "A rising tide lifts all boats", and with that, let's rise together in 2024!
As a Support Coordinator, are you looking for a streamlined way to give the people you support, the programs, services and supports they want and need? Eiros is that solution!
Eiros Group is New Jersey's leading Supports Brokerage, helping people to build their best lives. We provide an individualized and person-centered service to all of the people we support. Our seasoned staff have been through extensive training in person-centered practices, always keeping the person at the center of the conversation.
Our Supports Brokers meet with the people that they support and their families at least once a week to ensure clear communication. They want to live independently, they want to achieve, and they want success. Eiros Group is the connection to making them possible.
Through Supports Brokerage we are able to assist them with the tedious leg work that they or their supporters may not be equipped to handle. We are here to help create detailed road-maps for care, activities. We help them to network within communities, and troubleshoot complex situations. We are here to help! Contact Kristen Mathews, our Director of Supports Brokerage, at kristenm@eiros-group.com for more information.
Meet Spectrum of South Jersey
Twenty-seven years ago, a group of parents came together to organize activities to help their autistic children engage with each other and pursue hobbies, interests, and friendships to help them live their best lives. Today, this group continues to celebrate its growth through the leadership of Meaghan Buck Flemming, founder, and lead facilitator of Spectrum of South Jersey.
Spectrum of South Jersey, a social activities group for autistic young adults (18+), who get together for social events, trips and just having fun! Spectrum is entirely member driven financially and socially. Its members (all of whom are people with lived experience) provide input for yearly goals, objectives, and events. In turn, board members, consisting of Spectrum participants, finalize the group’s annual calendar.
During her college years, Meaghan experienced a lack of friendship and felt lonely. Although she received supports, she realized this was not the same as connecting with those who are like minded. When the opportunity arose for her to take on the leadership of Spectrum, she did just that! Over the years, this group has grown from twelve people hanging at each other’s house to a community-based group of sixty people connecting through a variety of social activities and mentoring.
When Meaghan was asked what future goals she would like to see for Spectrum of South Jersey, she explained “empower people to grow groups like this” and to be autonomous and independent in their planning. Having learned many lessons as an individual diagnosed with autism, she is a strong proponent that if a neurotypical person can decide their life, then a neurodivergent individual can make their own decisions.
Congratulations to Meaghan and Spectrum of South Jersey going on the
anniversary of their 10th year. Check out their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Spectrumsj
Pathfinder Studio International
Starting next month, a number of Eiros staff will be participating in PathFinder Studio, an international cohort of learners led by John O’Brien, co-author of the book "Pathfinders. People with Developmental Disabilities and Their Allies Building Communities That Work For Everybody".
The objective of this 8-week learning program is to discover how we can continue to strengthen our Person-Centered Practices, and explore ways that we and those we support, can get more connected to our communities.
"Social inclusion is the result of a hero’s journey. Good services develop and support partnerships with people and their families and allies. Pathfinders and their partners are social inventors." -- O'Brien & Mount
We are excited to learn with new and skilled PathFinders as this will be invaluable to the work we are doing in New Jersey. Please continue to watch this newsletter as we share some of our learning.
“Looking At Ourselves”
By John McGee
As caregivers we need to talk among ourselves and develop a feeling of companionship and community so we can teach it to others. A first step is to look at our fears and get a feel for our interactions, and how others see them. We need to lift up our interactions that bring peace and serenity to others. We all have little ways of showing love. If we can highlight these, then we have taken a first step in the discovery of what care giving is about. We bring much to the care-giving act. Our presence needs to express our warmest caring. We need to be aware of the beautiful deeds that we do and deepen them. As caregivers, we need to find ways to share each other’s acts and remind one another what care giving is all about– giving a part of ourselves to others.
CHECKING OUT OUR OWN WAY

Self-assessment is a difficult task. We have to look at ourselves and discover our own weaknesses and take pride in our strengths. Finding our strengths is the easy part. The difficult part is to recognize our care giving needs. It is a human tendency to deny our weaknesses. So, we have to create a process in which we feel safe enough to examine ourselves and pinpoint areas to improve. What makes this even more difficult is that we have to see ourselves as those whom we serve see us.
We need to look at ourselves from the perspective of those who are obviously extremely vulnerable as well as from the perspective of those “who know better.” It is sometimes easier to serve those who are more dependent or more obviously marginalized such as abused babies, orphans, abandoned children, and persons with severe disabilities.
Try to put yourself in the person’s shoes and sense what they are feeling: fear, disengagement, being unloved, and unable to convey a sense of love to others. Then look at yourself again and analyze your interactions. We need to realize that every move we make is an act of teaching. Our most subtle interactions are seen and interpreted by those whom we serve. Every interaction we express is a critical element in teaching companionship.
OUR VIEW OF OURSELVES
Purpose: Look at your own care giving interactions from the perspective of how the persons we serve see us. We assume that you feel that everyone feels safe with you and even loved by you. The challenge is to look at ourselves from the point of view of how the people we serve see us— people who are terrified and see little or no meaning in life or in us.
We will be hosting introductory online training sessions for Culture of Gentleness in the New Year. Keep your eye on this newsletter for more information coming soon!
We are growing! We have a number of open positions throughout New Jersey for Direct Support Professionals and experienced caregivers. Want to learn more? Click here and apply today!
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Do you have a high school student with an intellectual and/or developmental disability who will need support after graduation? Come learn about the transition process from children's services to the Division of Developmental Disabilities, the role of Support Coordination, and meet local service provider agencies throughout Mercer and Hunterdon County. See dates and locations below.
Mercer County Transition Fair
February 3, 2024 10:00am-12:30pm
Lawrence High School
Lawrenceville, NJ
Hunterdon County Transition Fair
March 2, 2024 10:00am-12:30pm
Hunterdon Central Regional High School
Fleminton, NJ
For questions or more information:
877-265-6360
Below are several upcoming activities and events scheduled throughout New Jersey! If you are hosting a similar type of event, and would like it included in our newsletter, please send to jeanmarieh@Eiros-Group.com
*Please allow 2 weeks or more advance notice. Thanks!
Mark your calendars to attend these free Lunch & Learn webinars on the first Wednesday of each month fro 12pm to 1pm
To register, please go to www.parlesrekem.com
• On our home page, click on any event and RSVP.
• When you RSVP, you will receive an email with the link to join the zoom meeting for the event.
• You can also add the event to your calendar.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Trust and Estates Planning
Harold L. Grodberg, Esq. and Abbe Greenberg, LSW
February 7, 2024
Transition: Obtaining Key Assessments and Developing Appropriate IEP Goals
Denise Dimson Rekem, Esq. and Judith Weinstock, Esq.
March 6, 2024
Navigating the IEP Process: What to Include in an Effective IEP
Denise Dimson Rekem, Esq. and Judith Weinstock, Esq.
April 3, 2024
Key Questions When Selecting (or Creating) a Program for Individuals with Autism or I/DD and Challenging Behaviors
Lisa McCauley Parles, Esq.
May 1, 2024
2/9/2024! Join a Night to Shine!
Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs, ages 14 and older. Attend, Volunteer or Host! Night to Shine is a complimentary event for people with special needs hosted by local churches around the world. The event is open to anyone living with disabilities, ages 14 and older.
Members of our teams will be attending Night to Shine events throughout New Jersey. Visit the Night to Shine website to register and for more information. Night to Shine is Worldwide on Friday, February 9, 2024.
Upcoming events throughout NJ
NORTH JERSEY:
First and Third Sunday of the month: 7pm-9pm
Community Day: Ballantine Funfair
January 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27: 3pm
Let it Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular
Now-January 14: Thursday and Sunday 4pm-8pm Friday and Saturday 4pm-9pm
January 13 and 14
January 15: 12pm-1:30pm
January 16: 7pm-8:30pm
January 18: 6pm
Monkeying around with Frank: A Wellbeing Workshop
January 22: 7pm-8pm
January 26, 27, 28
January 26: 9am-6pm
January 27: 8:30am-6pm
January 28: 9am-4:30pm
January 27 and 28: 10am-5pm
January 30: 10am-11am
CENTRAL NEW JERSEY:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Commemorative Breakfast
January 12: 7:30am-9:30am
Central Jersey Health and Wellness
January 13: 11am-3pm
Open Mic Night for young adults with special needs
January 17: 6pm-8pm
Red Bank
Garden State RV and Camping Show
January 19-21
Skating on the Square
Now through February 25
Night Forms at Grounds for Sculpture
Now through April 7
Rutgers Film Co-Op
January 26-February 18
Winter Festival
January 28: 10am-6pm
SOUTH NEW JERSEY:
January 11, 18, and 25: 12pm-1pm
January 13: 10am-5pm
January 13: 6pm
Live Music at Salem Oak Vineyards
January 13: 6pm-8pm
January 14: 1pm-4pm
Ocean City Martin Luther King Jr Ceremony and Soul Food Lunch
January 15: 12pm-2pm
January 15: 10am-12pm
January 19: 6pm-9pm
January 20: 9:30am-10:45am
Bay Atlantic Symphony: Carnival Season Serenade
January 21:2pm
Sensory Sundays Adventure Aquarium
January 21: 9:30am-10:30am
Mt. Holly Fire and Ice Festival
January 27: 10am-4pm
January-February 26
Roller Skating at Convention Hall
January, 2024
Friday 4pm-6pm
Saturday and Sunday 1pm-3pm
If you are hosting a similar type of event, and would like it included in our newsletter, please send to jeanmarieh@Eiros-Group.com
*Please allow 2 weeks or more advance notice. Thanks! Please note, we are relaying information found on other websites or through other organizations, and doing so as a service. Please confirm event details and information directly.
Transition Planning Season is coming! Have questions? Need guidance? Reach out! We are here to help!
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